Where do starter shims go?
Where do starter shims go?
Shimming the starter towards the flywheel is done by adding shims to the outboard starter mounting pad only. Check the clearance after each shim is added. A shim of 0.015 in. at this location will decrease the clearance about 0.010 in.
How do you Shim a starter on a Chevy?
Unbolt the starter from the engine using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, and place a shim onto both bolts on the starter. Bolt the starter motor back onto the engine block. Test with the paper clip again, and if the paper clip still doesn’t fit, repeat the process and add another shim. Do this until the paper clip fits in between the gaps.
How big of a shim do you need for a starter motor?
You need about 1/16-inch of clearance, and the paper clip is a good way to determine that size. If you can’t fit it in there, you should add at least one shim. Unbolt the starter from the engine using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, and place a shim onto both bolts on the starter. Bolt the starter motor back onto the engine block.
What happens if you don’t put a shim in the starter?
If you don’t you will cause major damage because the starter will twist around no matter how tight you make it. The last starter I bought came with instructions that said if whole shims failed to get the proper alignment then cut a shim in half (no more than 0.015″) and apply the shim to the passenger side bolt only.
What makes a GM starter not come out?
Not just any bolt will do! The knurled shank on the bolt keeps the bolt from spinning loose and falling out somewhere along the freeway. When that bolt comes out and the starter pivots on the one remaining bolt, teeth on the flywheel and starter take a beating.
Unbolt the starter from the engine using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, and place a shim onto both bolts on the starter. Bolt the starter motor back onto the engine block. Test with the paper clip again, and if the paper clip still doesn’t fit, repeat the process and add another shim. Do this until the paper clip fits in between the gaps.
You need about 1/16-inch of clearance, and the paper clip is a good way to determine that size. If you can’t fit it in there, you should add at least one shim. Unbolt the starter from the engine using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, and place a shim onto both bolts on the starter. Bolt the starter motor back onto the engine block.
If you don’t you will cause major damage because the starter will twist around no matter how tight you make it. The last starter I bought came with instructions that said if whole shims failed to get the proper alignment then cut a shim in half (no more than 0.015″) and apply the shim to the passenger side bolt only.
Not just any bolt will do! The knurled shank on the bolt keeps the bolt from spinning loose and falling out somewhere along the freeway. When that bolt comes out and the starter pivots on the one remaining bolt, teeth on the flywheel and starter take a beating.
